- Auxiliary Views are now DYNAMIC: Their coordinates are recalculated every redraw.
- New feature ROTATION VIEWS: Individual rotation views.
- The QTEXT command is removed because it is now automatic.
- REDRAW is much faster because it no longer attempts to draw items that are off-screen.
- The MAIN MENU is greatly expanded so that it includes two menus.
- New feature TUBE ASSEMBLIES: Combine more than one layout in TubeCAD using ASMVIEW command.
- Now built-in: DraftChoice Plus and ProtoCAD 3D software packages.
- Exit from the BUILD CAD FILE menu to DOS directly.
- AUTOLOAD TubeCAD DXF files to CADKEY 7 for DOS from the Interface Menu.
- The regular SAVE routine now warns of impending overwrite (but not when SAVE & EXIT).
- TubeCAD now requires 50,000 bytes less memory to run.
- Added true bend parallel extension lines for excess tube alignment and trimming.
- Added true bend perpendicular extension lines at the intersection points
- CHART is now an improved command that allows better access to Layout Chart settings.
- CHMOVE moves the charts at the command line.
- SMART OD OUTLINES: They hide tangent circles behind the tube and show the direction of vertical legs.
- SMART CENTERLINE LABELS show you when legs are perpendicular (normal) to the layout surface in the Primary of Auxiliary Views. For example: 2 over 3
- DBBNEGTOL can now be set from the utility menu. (Negative DBB tolerance value)
- Report Menu outputs all tubes in the assembly using the main tube's report style list definition.
- COLORS: Change the background color of the graphics screens in the utility menu.
- Negative radii will no longer draw in the outline or true bends.
- The drag movement in AuxView now directly corresponds to mouse pointer movement.
- The QTEXT value defaults to OFF in DXF files. Therefore, text fully draws when AutoCAD imports a TubeCAD DXF file.
- Vertical centerline segments will no longer draw stray outline entities at world zero.
- Clearing tube values now also clears the current TubeCAD filename.
- There is significant increased precision of calculations on sharp bends with large radii. (Much thanks to Dave Patterson of Eaton Leonard for suggesting an improvement).
- Leftover LENGTH values in the BENDER data now clear when calculations occur. This problem occurred when the operator programmed a tube with less bends than the previous tube without unloading TubeCAD.
- The preceding leg of your tube must be moving ABOVE and AWAY from the surface of the layout while in the true bend orientation -- or the previous rotation is incorrect.
- The preceding leg must align with the PL VECTOR as described in this enhancement, or the previous rotation and/or the previous true bend is incorrect.
- Because A and B are true, there is only one way that this test could allow an incorrect preceding leg vector to pass the test: Assuming that the previous leg is not using the correct rotation, then the previous true bend must also be incorrect at a very specific true bend angle.
- A PL VECTOR does not draw on the first bend. It has no preceding bend.
- The PL VECTOR does not draw when the preceding leg is perfectly perpendicular (or normal) to the surface of the layout, either moving above or below the true bend in the Z axis. If this is the case, then double-check the preceding leg in the Primary or Auxiliary tube views.
- The PL VECTOR feature is not intended to show the preceding intersection point in space. It only displays the direction of the preceding leg vector.
- The length of all PL VECTORS is relative to the diameter of the OUTLINE. If the diameter of the Outline is zero, then the PL VECTORS will not display.
- Point text labels no longer swap positions at certain angles. (Compare point text "4" and "7" in Rotation View 4 in the "Before" and "After" images below.)
- The first leg (or angled leg) of each Rotation View is now 20% longer than the horizontal leg in the bend plane. This aids in quickly identifying each of the legs. Also, the feature never allows the point number text at either end of the legs to overlap each other when rotation angles approach zero degrees.
- New text was added in the label that describes which bends are represented in each Rotation View. For example, "Bends 4 & 5" is indicated in Rotation View 4. This aids in instant recognition of which bends are part of each Rotation View.
- AutoDatum is ON.
- The Datum alignment point is set to 1.
- The view is the main XY view (or view 1).
- The position of the first point is 4.25, -3.50, 10.00.
- The position of the second point is 8.50, -3.50, 20.00.
- Enhancement: Built in Tangent Distance and Arc Length Calculators
- A new Unit flag now displays in the upper right corner of the TubeCAD graphics screens. This helps operators know what unit they are working with without moving to a sub-menu.
- The default radius value in the General Tube Specification menu now takes effect every time it is used. (Under certain circumstances, the value would not change the radius values in memory.)
- Long names for files are now properly loaded into TubeCAD memory when TubeCAD data files are loaded. Two repairs were made, one which allows commas to be used in the name.
- A second Screen pulldown menu was added to the second main menu in TubeCAD for operator convenience. This allows operators to access screen commands in either the first or the second menu.
- Many of the text menus were renamed to avoid confusion between text menus and pulldown menus. For example, the text Outline Menu is now called the Outline Configuration menu. (Other new names: OD Mesh Configuration, Chart Configuration, Header Configuration, Assembly Configuration, etc.)
- The CondenseInfo and ExpandInfo chart styles have been redesigned so that they contain more of the new General Tube Specification data fields. Some of the older obsolete data fields were removed.
- A new layer is added to the DXF files (and also the CADL files) for the header label.
TubeCAD Modification History Document For: Beginner through Advanced Users Software Version: From 5.7 through 5.8
Go back to the TubeCAD Tech Documents index.
TubeCAD Modification History Index TubeCAD 5.7 (June 1994 Revision)
1. Enhancement: The demo version, the lease version, and
the time-unlimited version of TubeCAD have been merged into the
same package. This package responds to more than one kind of
hardware key. If a customer had a single time-unlimited package,
and he wanted to temporarily lease a second workstation license
because of a increase in the work load, all that is required is
that he receive a second hardware key programmed with the lease
period in it.
Also, this new hardware key works more reliably on the new faster
computers (the older black hardware key is becoming less reliable
as the speed of computers increase).
2. Enhancement: TubeCAD now displays the tangent points
as well as the intersection points on the tube centerline. A
TANGENT command is added to the main command line in order to
turn the tangent points on and off. The TANGENT option is also
available in the TubeCAD charts.
3. Enhancement: TubeCAD now displays the bar-menu at all
times. It is no longer necessary to click on the mouse button
to display the bar-menu.
4. Enhancement: The library now remembers in which drive
and directory it was in last. when you recall the library, it
will return to that place as long as it is still a legal DOS location.
5. Enhancement: The TubeCAD DXF Centerline Extractor is
now a command within TubeCAD, provided that the command option
has been purchased. The DXFCE command allows operators to extract
centerline data from general CAD drawings (like FastCAD or AutoCAD).
The extracted data is placed directly to TubeCAD memory.
6. Enhancement: All new mouse drivers were installed in
TubeCAD that are more widely compatible with some of the newer
devices that emulate the Microsoft mouse driver. Also, the new
drivers are more reliable than the older ones.
7. Enhancement: FastCAD 3D is now bundled with the full-optioned
TubeCAD. TubeCAD with FastCAD 3D costs $2850, and TubeCAD with
FastCAD 3D and the DXFCE command option costs $3100.
8. Enhancement: The TubeCAD Interface Menu has been rewritten
so that you can setup the program by choosing the location of
other programs with the mouse. Also, it is now possible to choose
programs not listed within the Interface Menu that the program
can load. When exporting files to FastCAD 3D, the Interface Menu
uses 3-D DXF files, so FastCAD 3D now receives 3-D information
if it is contained in the DXF file.
9. Enhancement: The Operations Manual has been added to
significantly with many more graphic illustrations.
TubeCAD 5.7c (September 1994 Revision)
1. Enhancement: TubeCAD now has the new optional SGFILE
command. The SGFILE command loads the SupraGauge File Software
Module if it is purchased. The module manages the loading and
saving of SupraGauge Measuring Center files.
SupraGauge file data can be transferred directly to TubeCAD memory.
Since this file format is also read by the Adaptive Motion Control
Systems IMC bender control, it can also be used with the control.
The IMC control can read a directory with SupraGauge files at
the TubeCAD workstation through a network connection as if that
directory were an IMC disk. Data entered in TubeCAD can be transferred
to the control, and SupraGauge files stored by the IMC control
can be read by TubeCAD.
2. Enhancement: The TubeCAD DXFCE module has been redesigned
with a new user interface and mathematic sophistication.
The DXFCE module is a add-on that extracts tube centerlines from
DXF files created by AutoCAD, FastCAD, and other CAD packages.
The program performs automatic 3-D intersection error compensation
if it finds that any intersection Is not complete. (This is a
function that not even AutoCAD will perform.)
Two modes of extraction are allowed: Intersection and DBBs
And Arcs. If the centerline nearly meets at the intersections,
then the Intersection mode is ideal for the extraction.
If the centerline segments meet with 3-D arc end points, then
the DBBs and Arcs mode should be used. In both cases an
error tolerance is allowed for real-world conditions and intersection
error compensation is performed.
Another new DXFCE feature is the Choose DXF Layer dialog
menu that now appears when the Set DXF Layer button is
pressed in the main menu. Previous versions of DXFCE required
operators to know what layers existed in the DXF file. This version
of the DXFCE module examines the DXF file in order to create a
list of possible layers to choose from. TubeCAD 5.7d (January 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: The TubeCAD editor has the following added
commands: Control D -- List files in a Directory Control L -- Load a file
Control S -- Save the Editor data to a file
These commands are present in the editor in every mode. The significance
is that ODMESH MODIFICATION LISTS, REPORT CHART LISTS, LAYOUT
CHART LISTS, and NOTES LISTS can now be saved for re-use in
or transfer to other tube layouts besides the one currently
in TubeCAD memory.
For example, an end form that is re-used often, can now be programmed
into one TubeCAD ODmesh modification list and then saved to a
separate file for use in other layouts.
If an incoming file is longer than the current row limit in the
editor, the incoming data is trimmed. The maximum number of lines
allowed in the editor is controllable by a TubeCAD variable (in
the VAR command) named EDITORLINES. The default (and minimum)
number of rows allowed is 110.
2. Fix: The Jack Heckman Tube style chart uses the
"foot-inch-fraction" form of distances. As the values
approached whole inch values (with no fraction), the routines
sometimes displayed fractional values of "0/0", or "0/16",
or "1/0". In the case of "1/0" the value
should have been rounded to the next higher whole inch value.
This problem was repaired in this version. Example Change In Output: Decimal Value: 68.0100 Old: 5' 8-0/16" New: 5' 8"
Decimal Value: 68.9900 Old: 5' 8-1/0" New:
5' 9" TubeCAD 5.7e (February 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: TubeCAD can now build ODMESHs using non-cylindrical
shapes. TubeCAD reads DXF files that contain POLYLINE profiles
of the OD tube wall and constructs the mesh using the profile
data.
Profile SCALING in the Modification List
Since there is not always a uniform diameter in a profile shape,
ODMESHs created using a profile file interprets the OD modification
values in the modification list as SCALE values. The ORIGINAL
profile data sizes represents a SCALE of 1. Consider, for example, the following modification list: BEGIN LIST SEG1 10.00, 1.00 10.50, 1.25 11.00, 1.25 11.50, 1.00 When building a standard cylindrical mesh, TubeCAD interprets the modification list like this: At the first line (SEG1) move 10.0 units and draw a new OD of 1.00 unit move 10.5 units and draw a new OD of 1.25 units move 11.0 units and draw a new OD of 1.25 units
move 11.5 units and draw a new OD of 1.00 units When using a profile file to define the mesh, TubeCAD interprets the modification list like this: At the first line (SEG1) move 10.0 units and draw a new PROFILE at a scale of 1.00 to the original move 10.5 units and draw a new PROFILE at a scale of 1.25 to the original move 11.0 units and draw a new PROFILE at a scale of 1.25 to the original
move 11.5 units and draw a new PROFILE at a scale of 1.00
to the original Rotating the Profile Relative To The First Bend
TubeCAD can rotate the profile relative to the plane of the first
bend.
2. Enhancement: The ODMESH MODIFICATION command has five
new commands: DATUM END A DATUM TAN A DATUM MID DATUM TAN B
DATUM END B
These commands allow ODMESH modifications to be placed along the
centerlines relative to datums other than the END A point. All
previous versions of TubeCAD use END A as the modification datum
at all times.
The following list created the modifications shown on the previous
pages. Note that the datum can be set ANYWHERE after the BEGIN
LIST flag: 3. Enhancement: A new TBLL command is added that controls which of the nine true bend label lines are ON or OFF. 4. Enhancement: The true bend tangent points now switch ON and OFF in response to the TANGENT command.
5. Enhancement: The ODMESH and General Tube Data menus
have been improved with added features TubeCAD 5.7f (May 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Fix: Primary View 2 is always to be projected orthographically
UP from Main View 1. Primary View 3 is always to be projected
orthographically RIGHT from Main View 1. These views can
no longer project DOWN or LEFT from the main view. This
prevents the accidental changing of the layout projection type
from 3rd Angle (American, Japanese, etc.) to 1st Angle (German).
2. Enhancement: The TubeCAD Interface Menu now allows the
configuration paths to programs to be cleared if necessary. TubeCAD 5.7g (April 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Fix: The Offset values are now applied correctly to
the OD Outline. Positive values make the Outline at the ends
longer then the centerline. Negative values make the Outline
shorter. TubeCAD data that displays total length values include
the offset values.
2. Enhancement: The following CHART STYLES have been added
to TubeCAD:
AUTO2
Each of these styles are modifications of chart styles of the
same name without the "2". The difference between,
for example, AUTO and AUTO2 is that the ROTATION
and BEND ANGLES have swapped columns. Also, the first rotation
angle is moved to the second row in the new styles. Auto 3-Axis Bend Length Bend 18RotL Radius 1 1.25 42.0 92.6 1.00 ( +1 1/4 ) 2 0.18 75.3 113.3 1.00 ( +0 11/64 ) 3 5.31 44.3 -106.1 1.38 ( +5 5/16 ) 4 0.62 77.8 133.8 1.38 ( +0 5/8 ) 5 1.62 94.4 0.0 1.00 ( +1 5/8 ) LL 0.13 ( +0 1/8 ) Auto 3-Axis Bend Length 18RotL Bend Radius 1 1.25 0.0 42.0 1.00 ( +1 1/4 ) 2 0.18 92.6 75.3 1.00 ( +0 11/64 ) 3 5.31 113.3 44.3 1.38 ( +5 5/16 ) 4 0.62 -106.1 77.8 1.38 ( +0 5/8 ) 5 1.62 133.8 94.4 1.00 ( +1 5/8 ) LL 0.13 ( +0 1/8 ) 3. Enhancement: The RADII values in the SHORT chart styles now start in the first row in order to correspond to the bender data to which they are adjacent. (In the older short chart styles, they started in the second row as if they were adjacent to the XYZ data.) TubeCAD Short Points X Y Z Length 18RotL Angle Radius 1 0.05 -2.54 -1.83 1.25 0.0 42.0 1.00 2 0.41 -1.45 -0.67 0.18 92.6 75.3 1.00 3 0.75 -1.45 0.62 5.31 113.3 44.3 1.38 4 7.39 -1.45 0.62 0.62 -106.1 77.8 1.38 5 9.03 0.02 1.26 1.62 133.8 94.4 1.00 6 10.33 1.27 -2.10 0.13 0.0 0.0 0.00 7 10.26 2.37 -1.61 0.00 0.0 0.0 0.00
4. Enhancement: Configuration is now automated. The CONFIG
command in TubeCAD no longer asks for the BaseCalc setting to
be entered when no configuration file is found on the disk. Default
settings are reinitialized and BaseCalc is set to the XYZ Coordinate
mode. CONFIG pauses 3 seconds to display a re-initialization
message before loading the main section of TubeCAD.
5. Enhancement: The true bend views can now draw PARALLEL
EXTENSION LINES. To handle this feature, a new command TBPAREXT
was added to the command line. The length of these extension
lines can be controlled. The parallel extension lines can use
the tangent point or the end/intersection point as a datum
(starting point) for the length. 6. Enhancement: The true bend views can now build perpendicular extension lines at the END/INTERSECTION points as well as at the tangent points. To handle this feature, a new command TBINTEXT was added to the command line. This command allows an ON or OFF setting. The length of these perpendicular extension lines are the same as the extension lines at the tangent points.
7. Enhancement: The true bend views have two new lines
of data (lines 10 and 11) that show the point to point distances
of the true bends. These lines of data, like other the other
lines, can be switched on and off. 8. Change: Previous versions of the TubeCAD ZOOM EXTENTS command zoomed to the extents of the outside of the primary and auxiliary views only. This release of TubeCAD zooms the extents of every entity drawn in the last redraw. TubeCAD 5.8 (September 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
Version 5.8 is a major step in the design of TubeCAD. There are
almost too many enhancements to list each in detail here. Here
is a list of the major changes: Enhancements:
Fixes:
TubeCAD 5.8b (End of September, 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: TubeCAD now only uses VGA resolution video
systems.
2. Enhancement: File save and Load DIALOG menus allow
browsing through drives.
3. Enhancement: New topical help system. TubeCAD 5.8c (October 6, 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Fix: The file save dialog no longer returns a double
back-slash in the filename under any circumstances for normal
drives. (A:\\SAMPLE is now returned A:\SAMPLE)
2. Fix: The CADL files no longer contain a layer named
"CHART". (All CADKEY layers must be numbers.) Also,
layers 54 through 60 are switched ON after CADKEY loads the CADL
file. (Much thanks to John Raptosh and Edward Glegola of BUNDY
for finding this problem).
3. Enhancement: Typing "tubecad /?" at the command
line gives brief command-line help.
4. Enhancement: Several help topics were added.
5. Enhancement: The Set MM or INCH commands in the SETUP
menu now also reset the Y limit of the true bends to 715mm or
28 inches. TubeCAD 5.8d (October 9, 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: The true bends are now smarter: They
automatically flip over when the preceding leg is moving below
the plane of the layout. Because of this feature, there
is now less chance of interference from the preceding bend when
you check a true bend on the layout. (Much thanks to Tony Mowinski
of Paftac Tube Services for this excellent suggestion).
2. Enhancement: True Bend Preceding Leg Vectors. All true
bends now show the direction of the vector of the preceding
leg relative to the true bend. Several fabricators have
asked for this feature in various forms as a method of a quick
double-check of the previous bend's orientation relative to the
current true bend. Combining this new feature with enhancement
1 above, the following is always true:
Additional Notes About PL VECTORS: TubeCAD 5.8e (October 30, 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: The Editor in the Bender Data mode now
accepts bender data in the standard LRA order. Older TubeCADs
always put the bender data on the screen in the order (L) (A) (R) Length Bend Angle Rotation Angle Radius
Starts Row 1 Starts Row 1 Starts Row 1 Starts Row 1
Changes have been made in previous releases of this version to
allow report styles in the standard LRA order. With this release,
TubeCAD requires that the bender data be entered in that order
also: (L) (R) (A) Length Rotation Angle Bend Angle Radius
Starts Row 1 Starts Row 2 Starts Row 1 Starts Row 1
Note that the first rotation angle is in the second row. This
order reflects the natural order of progression for bending: Step 1: move length, clamp, bend, unclamp Step 2: move length and put first rotation, clamp, bend, unclamp
etc.
2. Enhancement: TubeCAD will now accept the standard dot
and double-dot designations for the current and previous directory
when entering the Profile filename, the DXF filename, or Assembly
filenames.
3. Enhancement: TubeCAD now automatically creates the following
directories below the TubeCAD directory for use as default storage
locations for files: \TC58\DXF For storage of DXF files that TubeCAD builds. \TC58\TCD For storage of TubeCAD data files.
\TC58\PROFILE For storage of Profile DXF files.
If entering a new name into an empty field for the DXF or PROFILE
filenames, TubeCAD automatically starts the input character string
as ".\DXF\_" or ".\PROFILE\_". In other words,
TubeCAD assumes that these are the standard directories for these
files.
4. Enhancement: Several HELP topics were added.
5. Fix: TubeCAD releases 5.8 through 5.8d would, under
certain circumstances, automatically undo the previous session
of view rotations when entering the ROTATE command. This is repaired.
(Much thanks to Rod Malone of TUBE FORMING & MACHINE for finding
this problem.) TubeCAD 5.8f (December 15, 1995 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: TubeCAD has a new single General Specifications
Menu that replaces the General Tube Data: Points Mode / Bend Mode
menus. This menu is much improved as it allows for the entry
of much more data.
General Tube Specifications
0 Exit
1 Customer............ NEW HOLLAND
2 Date................ 08-21-1995
3 Part Number......... 87800702
4 Print Reference..... Revision A
5 Tube Material Note.. .312 x .028 J-527
6 Outer Diameter...... 0.3120
7 Outer Diameter Wall. 0.0280
8 Notes
9 Document file name.. ""
10 Number of POINTS.... 5
11 Number of BENDS..... 3
12 Units............... Inches
13 Default radii....... 0.0690
14 Menu: End Offset
15 Menu: Fitting
16 Menu: Datum
17 Menu: Sequence
2. Enhancement: TubeCAD has much enhanced End Offset Menu
which allows TubeCAD to search through an offset list file. This
file can contain thousands of named end offsets with associated
values.
End Offset Menu
0 Exit
1 Offset 1 name for search.... EndForm1
2 Copy name 1 to name 2
3 Offset 2 name for search.... Fitting2
4 Copy name 2 to name 1
5 File to search.............. ".\OFFSETS\OFFSET.DAT"
6 Display the file's contents
7 Begin search
8 Offset at end 1............. +0.2500
9 Offset at end 2............. -0.1250
10 Set offsets to zero
When a search locates a name that the operator enters for the search, TubeCAD loads the offset value associated with the name and places it in either the Offset 1 value or Offset 2 value.
The offset list file can be entered using any word processor that
allows you to save to the standard text (ASCII) format. A sample
list is included on the distribution diskettes and is installed
to the offsets directory under the TubeCAD directory. The name
of the file is OFFSET.DAT.
The list file is made using this simple structure:
TubeCAD Offset List
The header "TubeCAD Offset List" is only for identification
and is not required. You can enter notes anywhere in the list
as long as there are no commas in the rows that contain notes.
Empty rows are ignored.
The "Units, Inch" or "Units, Millimeter" command
is required so that TubeCAD knows how to convert the incoming
data should the data in TubeCAD be the opposite unit as is found
in the offset list. TubeCAD looks for either an "I"
or an "M" after the comma to determine the units. Also
use "Units" plural and not "Unit" singular
as TubeCAD expects this.
The rest of the list is composed of offset names followed by their
values. For example, "EndForm1" has a value of 0.250
INCHES. The names shown above are for example only, they could
be changed to any word that you want so long as they do not contain
a comma. For example, you could enter a name like "SAE-45
Flare", a comma, and then its associated offset value. If
the name represents an end-form like a flare, then the offset
value will probably by positive because it adds distance to the
tube length. If the name represents a fitting that takes up part
of the tube's length, then the offset value will probably be negative
because it subtracts distance from the tube length.
The only limitation in the size of the offset file size is the
amount of free disk space your computer has available. For testing
at Advanced Tubular Technologies, a list with 20,000 names similar
to the sample list above was constructed. It required only 400,000
bytes of disk space and TubeCAD searched the entire file in 7
seconds. (TubeCAD searches through 1000 offset names in 0.35
seconds on our 33 MHz 80486 computer.)
3. Enhancement: TubeCAD has new menu named "Fitting
Menu". This menu is a submenu to the new General Specs menu.
There are four fitting fields In the menu that allow the operator
to enter text information about the fittings in the current tube
layout. These are new fields within TubeCAD. The fitting values
can be printed by using the "Fittings" style in the
Report command.
4. Enhancement: TubeCAD has new menu named "Sequence
Menu". In the menu are four Sequence fields that allow the
operator to enter text information about the sequences used to
fabricate the tube in the current tube layout. These are new
fields within TubeCAD.
5. Enhancement: TubeCAD has new report and chart styles
called "Dakota" and "Dakota,E".
Dakota Tube
Customer....: NEW HOLLAND Date 08-21-1995
Part Number.: 87800702
Print Ref...: Revision A
Tubing......: .312 x .028 J-527
Fitting #1..: 330-0001 Fitting #3..: 330-0001
Fitting #2..: 331-0001 Fitting #4..: 331-0001
Cut Length..: 9.06 Point to Point..: 7.13
Sequence 1
10 43 39 18 77 85 32 23 34 00
TUBE COORDINATES
===================================================
X Y Z RADIUS
1 +0.00 +0.00 -0.58 +0.00
2 +5.10 -0.00 -0.58 +1.12
3 +5.91 -0.00 -1.33 +1.12
4 +7.00 +1.64 -1.53 +1.12
5 +6.85 +1.89 -0.01 +0.00
===================================================
BEND LENGTH COLLET CLAMP C-LINE ROTATION
ANGLES SETTINGS SETTINGS AREA LENGTH INSTRUCTION
------ -------- -------- ---- ------ -----------
1 42.77 4.40 0.00 4.66 5.10 0.00
2 61.78 3.56 109.89 -0.00 1.11 109.89 CCW
3 91.08 2.19 144.03 0.17 1.98 34.14 CCW
4 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.41 1.55 0.00
4 91.08 8.65 0.00 0.41 1.55 0.00
3 61.78 6.71 34.14 0.17 1.98 34.14 CCW
2 42.77 5.50 144.03 -0.00 1.11 109.89 CCW
1 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.66 5.10 0.00
"Length Settings" are stop values. "Collet Settings"
are accumulated 360 degree rotation values. "Clamp Area"
is distance between bends. "C-line Length" is point
to point true distance. "Rotation Instruction" is standard
180 rotation angles. (CCW is positive rotation. CW is negative
rotation. SP ("Same Plane") is used for 0 degree rotation.)
"Dakota,E" uses elongation compensated total length
and arc lengths to build the report.
6. Enhancement: TubeCAD has a new AUTO ARRANGE command.
This command is found in the SETUP pulldown menu, or by typing
"AUTO" at the command line.
The AUTO ARRANGE command automatically SWITCHES ON and ARRANGES
entities like the Primary Views, True Bends, etc., so that they
are not overlapping.
The "AUTO" command at the main graphic screen displays
this menu:
AUTO ARRANGE: 1=Vw/Tb/Lrclk/Chrt, 2=Vw/Tb/Rrclk/Chrt, 3=Vw/Tb/Rv/Chrt:
There are 3 ways to Auto Arrange the entities in a layout: Auto Arrange Mode 1: Primary Views-->True Bend Views-->Left Rotation Clock-->Chart Auto Arrange Mode 2: Primary Views-->True Bend Views-->Right Rotation Clock-->Chart
Auto Arrange Mode 3: Primary Views-->True Bend Views-->Rotation
Views-->Chart
With each of these modes, TubeCAD first draws the Primary Views
and separates them so that they do not overlap. Then the True
Bend views draw to the right of the Primary Views. Next one of
the three types of Rotation entity draws, depending on which mode
you selected. Last, the Chart draws to the right of the Rotation
entity.
7. Enhancement: TubeCAD has a new CONVERT command that
displays the Unit Conversion Menu. This menu allow you to convert
the data in TubeCAD memory to the opposite unit.
TubeCAD stores its data in the format that you enter it. If
you entered an OD value as 25.4 millimeters, then the value "25.4"
is stored in the TubeCAD data file. Likewise, you could have
used an OD value of 1 inch. In this case, TubeCAD would store
the value as "1" in a TubeCAD data file. If you want to change the unit upon which a given layout is based, it is necessary to multiply all the distance values in the database by a known value used to convert from one unit to another.
(Note: Metric and English angular units are identical: degrees.
No conversion ever needs to be performed on angular values.)
Use the Setup|Convert Units command to display the UNIT CONVERSION MENU.
The menu looks like this:
Unit Conversion Menu
TubeCAD recognizes either Inch or Millimeter units in its database.
Use this menu to multiply or divide by 25.4 to convert all distance
values for this layout (like the XYZ and OD values) into the opposite
unit. To convert units from IN to MM, use option 1. To convert the
database from MM to IN, use option 2.
Warning: Be careful not to multiply (or divide) a set of data more
than once. For example, multiplying inch values by 25.4 and then by
25.4 AGAIN creates units that are 645.16 times larger then the inch
unit.
Current Units Setting: Millimeter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 Exit
1 System Values X 25.4 (Inches --> Millimeters)
2 System Values / 25.4 (Millimeters --> Inches)
Not only does this menu convert the values that define the tube shape, but it also converts almost EVERY DISTANCE VALUE in the TubeCAD database. For example, the TubeCAD graphics screen windows coordinates are converted. Also converted are text and point sizes.
The only entity that is not converted is the ODmesh, because it
can be rebuilt immediately after the Unit Conversion Menu is exited.
8. Enhancement: TubeCAD's On/Off options in the text menus
now toggle to the opposite value when they are selected
rather than requiring that you type in "ON" or "OFF".
(Note: The on/off text is still required in the graphics command
lines.) (Much thanks to Rod Malone of TUBE FORMING & MACHINE
for making this suggestion.)
9. Fix: AutoCAD will now import the Rotation Views using
the same color used in TubeCAD.
10. Fix: TubeCAD used to build DXF files with entities
defined with 6 places beyond the decimal. AutoCAD, however,
uses 8 places beyond the decimal for internal accuracy. In some
cases, AutoCAD would not find an intersection when attempting
to use the intersect object snap between lines and arcs that should
intersect because they did not match at the 7th and 8th place
beyond the decimal. This has been repaired by increasing the
TubeCAD DXF (and CADL) output to 12 places beyond the decimal.
11. Fix: The Zoom Extents command would not always find
the extents if the CHART was defining one of the boundaries of
the layout. This is repaired so that it returns the proper extents
every time. TubeCAD 5.8g (January 15, 1996 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: The SGFILE menu, used for saving and loading
SupraGauge measuring center files to/from TubeCAD is now included
as a standard feature in TubeCAD.
Since this file format is also read by the Adaptive Motion Control
Systems IMC bender control, it can also be used with the control.
The IMC control can read a directory with SupraGauge files at
the TubeCAD workstation through a network connection as if that
directory were an IMC disk. Data entered in TubeCAD can be transferred
to the control, and SupraGauge files stored by the IMC control
can be read by TubeCAD.
A help topic is added to TubeCAD that gives information about
the SGFILE menu and the files that it creates. Use the HELP command
at the main command line in TubeCAD. (The help topic is "SupraGauge
Files -- Saving/Loading".)
2. New: The ELFILE menu is a new feature used for saving
and loading Eaton Leonard FIF (File Interchange Format) files
to/from TubeCAD. It is a standard feature in TubeCAD.
FIF files are used by Eaton Leonard Vector measuring centers and
CNC benders to import and export part data by diskette or computer
LAN (Local Area Network).
This new feature is included in the File menu in the main graphic
screen of TubeCAD. The command is "Eaton Leonard File"
under the "SupraGauge File" command.
A help topic is added to TubeCAD that gives information about
the ELFILE menu and the files that it creates. Use the HELP command
at the main command line in TubeCAD. (The help topic is "Eaton
Leonard Files -- Saving/Loading".) TubeCAD 5.8h (February 1, 1996 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement and Fix: The Rotation Views now have the
following changes:
(Much thanks to James Wilson from BUNDY of Winchester, Kentucky,
for bringing the Rotation View problems to our attention, and
assisting in the solution.)  
2. Enhancement: If the TubeCAD filename is cleared (or
becomes empty), then TubeCAD resets the filename to ".\TCD\UNTITLED.TCD".
This removes the possibility of a TubeCAD operator attempting
to save data to a TubeCAD file without a filename, which would
produce an error. The file, by default, is saved in the TCD directory
under the TubeCAD directory on the hard drive.
(Much thanks to Marv Juedes and other engineers from Formrite
Company of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, for their involvement in this
enhancement.) TubeCAD 5.8i (February 15, 1996 Revision) Back to the Index
1. Fix: When decreasing the number of points in a layout,
the Unbend feature could automatically switch to On. This has
been corrected so that TubeCAD handles the decrease in points
correctly.
2. Enhance: "Set Text Size" was added to the
Bend menu in the main screen. This allows operators to change
the text size of the true bend labels from either the Text menu
or the Bend menu.
3. Update: The demo version of TubeCAD 5.8 was updated
directly from Revision "g" to Revision "i".
4. Enhance: Long filename support was added to the File
Save and File Load Dialog menus.
Users can enter and edit a long name or description of
the file's contents in the File Save Dialog.
When the File Load Dialog menu is displayed, it shows the
long name of any file that the user chooses in the File Box.
(It does not allow editing of the name.) If the file is not a
TubeCAD file, or was saved by a version older than TubeCAD 5.8i,
then no long name is displayed in the Long Name box because the
file does not contain the Long Name information.
(Much thanks to John Raptosh and Ed Glegola of Bundy (Chesterfield,
MI) for their request of this feature.)   TubeCAD 5.8j (March 1, 1996 revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: The Primary View point labels can now show
the depth from the datum to the point. This new feature is named
"Point Depth Label". (Primary Views are the main three
orthogonal views in TubeCAD --main XY, top, and right.) The Point
Depth Label, if switched on, displays this distance in a set
of parentheses to the right of the point number.
This value is always directly relative to the datum position.
For example:
Given the above circumstances, the Point Depth Label will report
a distance of 20.00 minus 10.00, or 2 (+10.00). This indicates
that point 2 is 10 units above the datum.
2. Enhancement: The Primary View point labels can now show
the bend number. This new feature is named "Point
Bend Label". The feature is present in the first three Primary
Views. (Primary Views are the main three orthogonal views in
TubeCAD --main XY, top, and right.)
While it is simple to subtract 1 from a point to determine the
bend number, this feature can help viewers to find the point that
relates to a given bend number within the Primary Views very
quickly, and without error.
3. Enhancement: The Datum Menu has new features.
Option 7 allows operators to control the Datum Line Color.
In previous versions, it was always color 7, or white.
Also, an Autodatum Alignment Point option is added. This
allows operators to quickly choose which point along the centerline
the datum snaps to if the Autodatum switch is ON. The default
is point 1. The value can be set to any end or intersection point.
Datum Menu 0 Exit 1 Autodatum switch............... ON 2 Autodatum alignment point...... 1 3 DatumX......................... +0.0510 4 DatumY......................... -2.5430 5 DatumZ......................... -1.8270 6 Reset Datum to 0,0,0 7 Datum Line Color............... ( 10 )
Options 4 through 6 allow manual control of the datum position.
The menu now gives the following message if operators attempt
to set these options with Autodatum ON: AutoDatum is ON. Setting the Datum values now will have no effect. AutoDatum RESETS the value every redraw to the XYZ values at the
alignment point.
Press Enter to continue
This helps operators understand that the Autodatum feature takes
total control of the assignment of values to DatumX, DatumY,
and DatumZ if it is ON.
4. Enhancement: A new Centerline Point Menu is added.
The command for entering this menu is "CP". The meni
can also be entered using the Cenline|Use C.P. Menu command
in the second main menu.
This menu controls values related to the centerline point entities
on the tube. (Note that there is no "Int Point.........On/Off"
feature because points are always visible in TubeCAD.) Centerline Point Menu 0. Exit menu 1. Int Point Labels......... ON 2. Int Point Depth Label.... ON 3. Int Point Bend Label..... ON 4. Tan Point Labels......... off 5. Point Size............... 0.250 6. Point Label Size......... 0.100 7. Point Color............... ( 14 ) 8. Point Label Color......... ( 14 )
All the options in this menu can be controlled directly from the
CenLine menu. It has been modified to look like this:
5. Modification: All entity color options within TubeCAD
now allow color 0 (black) as an option. Previous versions would
not allow this color.
6. Modification: TubeCAD's three primary views now attempt
to place the centerline labels outside the OD of the tube
shape. The method used for placement of labels is described below.
(Much thanks to John Nichols of ITT Automotive, Glencoe, Canada
for his request of this feature.) TubeCAD 5.8k (May 15, 1996 revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement for Preceding Leg Vector: When the preceding
leg is near normal* from the XY work surface, then TubeCAD no
longer attempts to draw a PLV (Preceding Leg Vector) with an arrow.
Rather, two circles are drawn representing the OD, the OD wall,
and lines representing the arcs of the previous bend. *(a
"normal" line is one that is perpendicular to a plane.)
In the image above, the rotation is negative 90 degrees between
the two bends. The preceding leg is moving above the surface
of the layout. Since TubeCAD automatically flips a true bend
if it senses that the preceding leg is moving below the layout
surface, a leg in this condition will, like a Preceding Leg Vector,
always move above the layout surface.
Note that this true bend construction occurs only when the previous
bend angle is near 90 degrees and the previous rotation
is near either +90 or -90 degrees. TubeCAD will construct
this type of image when the leg is practically normal
to the layout surface (and not necessarily perfectly
normal to the surface). The two points in the preceding leg must
be within 0.01 inches or 0.254 Millimeters from each other in
the plane of the layout for TubeCAD to consider it practically
normal.
2. Fix PLV Errors: Previous versions of TubeCAD attempted
to draw a PLV arrow on the true bends when the previous rotation
was near 90 or -90 degrees. Also, errors in the PLV were possible
under other special conditions that are beyond the scope of this
document. These problems would result in an erroneous direction
in the PLV. The problems have been repaired. (Much thanks to
Tony Mowinski of Paftac Tube Services for his finding
and researching this problem.)
3. Modification to ODMESH Rebuild: During a unit conversion,
TubeCAD now automatically rebuilds the ODMESH if it is on. Also,
to be sure that the ODMESH is current, TubeCAD will rebuild it
before entering the Build CAD File menu. (The Build CAD File
menu builds DXF and CADL files for transfer to other CAD programs.)
For a quick refresh of the MESH at any time, you can still use
the "ODB" command at the main command prompt. (Much
thanks to Rod Malone of Tube Forming & Machine for his suggesting
this change.)
4. Enhancement to Auto Arrange: The AAextra variable
was added to the VAR menu to allow extra spacing in the Auto Arrange
command. Also, a menu item as added in the Setup menu for adjusting
this value. TubeCAD adds this new value to the separation distances
used in the Auto Arrange command. (Much
thanks to Rod Malone of Tube Forming & Machine for his suggesting
this change.)
5. Enhancement for Running with Windows NT: TubeCAD was
previously tested to run under Windows 3.1, Windows
3.11, and Windows 95. New hardware key software is
now integrated into TubeCAD so that it can be run on computers
using Windows NT. (Much thanks to Gary Riggs of
E. A. Patten Company for performing several tests
on his NT workstation.)
6. Fix SURFACE Mode ODMESH When ARCS Are Switched OFF:
In SURFACE mode, the first end of each DBB cylinder is dependent
on the end position of the previous ARC sections. This ensures
that a perfect match between bends and straights are made as required
by programs that perform gas-flow analysis like ALGOR.
Because of this interdependence, the ODmesh in SURFACE mode would
not draw the DBB cylinders properly if the ARC portion of the
mesh was not also switched on. This has been repaired. When
the arc sections are switched OFF, TubeCAD now continues to calculate
their position in space without drawing them so that the following
DBBs are constructed properly. 7. Enhancement to CLEAR Command: The CLEAR command previously cleared only the XYZ data and the layout filename. Now the following General Specification data is also cleared in order to prevent incorrect data from being transferred to new layouts: Customer, Date, Part Number, Print Reference, Tube Material Note, OD, OD wall
(Much thanks to Rod Malone of Tube Forming
& Machine for his suggesting this change.)
8. Fix IDENT Exit in ROTATE Command: While in ROTATE mode,
exiting the IDENT command will no longer cause TubeCAD to exit
to DOS.
9. Enhancement to True Bend View Menu: The True Bend View
Menu now includes access to the COLOR commands that affect the
true bend views.
10. Enhancement to General Tube Specifications Menu: This
menu now has two added options at the bottom: Exit General Tube Specifications and Edit XYZ Data and
Exit General Tube Specifications and Edit BENDER Data
These two options allow operators to proceed directly to entering
and editing new XYZ coordinate or bender data. The modified menu
now appears like this:
General Tube Specifications
0 Exit
1 Customer............ Tube Fabrication Company
2 Date................ 5/15/96
3 Part Number......... 15445455
4 Print Reference..... Revision 15
5 Tube Material Note.. Aluminum
6 Outer Diameter...... 19.0500
7 Outer Diameter Wall. 1.0000
8 Notes
9 Document file name.. ""
10 Number of POINTS.... 0
11 Number of BENDS..... 0
12 Units............... Millimeters
13 Default radii....... 50.8000
14 Edit End Offset Data
15 Edit Fitting Data
16 Edit Datum Data
17 Edit Sequence Data
18 Exit General Tube Specifications and Edit XYZ Data
19 Exit General Tube Specifications and Edit BENDER Data
(Much thanks to Rod Malone of Tube Forming
& Machine for his suggesting this change.)
11. Fix To The Text Options Menu (Pulldown): The "ON:
Point Text" and "OFF: Point Text" now properly
controls the Point Labels on the Primary and Auxiliary tube views.
12. Enhancement Outline Layers and Levels in CAD Files:
In previous versions, all outline entities in all views
were found on one of three AutoCAD layers: OL-DBB, OL-ARC, or
OL-TAN. (Levels 50-52 in CADKEY CADL files).
This has been revised so that Views 1, 2, 3, and Auxiliary views
have their own layers: AutoCAD Layers CADKEY Levels OL-DBB-1 61 OL-ARC-1 62 OL-TAN-1 63 OL-DBB-2 64 OL-ARC-2 65 OL-TAN-2 66 OL-DBB-3 67 OL-ARC-3 68 OL-TAN-3 69 OL-DBB-AUX 70 OL-ARC-AUX 71 OL-TAN-AUX 72
Now it is much easier to show OUTLINE entities in a single tube
view by turning off all other layers or levels. Some TubeCAD
operators use the outline entities from a single view as the basis
for constructing tube fabrication and/or measurement equipment
for that tube. This enhancement allows operators to keep the
other views' outlines without moving them to another level or
erasing them.
(Much thanks to Rod Malone of Tube Forming
& Machine for his suggesting this change.) TubeCAD 5.8L (June 15, 1996 revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement: New Header Label: A label called the "header label" was added to TubeCAD.
The data in the label is extracted from the first 5 items in the
General Tube Specification menu.
Control the header by using the Header pulldown menu in the second
main bar menu of TubeCAD. 
The Header Label Configuration menu allows complete control of
the header. Header Label Configuration 0. Exit menu 1. Display On/Off............ ON 2. X offset..................-3.907 3. Y offset.................. 44.089 4. Major Header Text Size.... 2.000 5. Minor Header Text Size.... 0.750 6. General Text Label Color.... ( 13 )
The header is composed of a major and minor heading. 
The size of each of the two headings is controlled with options
4 and 5 in the Header Label Configuration menu.
Using the mirror image feature in DraftChoice Plus (or any other
general CAD package) it is possible to create a "backwards"
header that can be read from the outside of Mylar prints. 
(The mirror image was mirrored to the left of the original, then
moved to the top using AutoCAD.)
(Much thanks to James Wilson from BUNDY
of Winchester, Kentucky, for suggesting this enhancement.)
Two new menus are added that allow you to calculate tangent distances
and arc lengths by entering the bend angle and centerline radius
of any bend. The two menus appear like this: Tangent Distance Calculator 0. Exit menu 1. Enter True Bend Angle........... 45.000 2. Enter Centerline Bend Radius.... 5.000 Tangent Distance = 2.071067812165842 Arc Length Calculator 0. Exit menu 1. Enter True Bend Angle........... 45.000 2. Enter Centerline Bend Radius.... 5.000 Arc Length = 3.92698785290122
Both of the menus can be loaded from the Utility pulldown menu
in the main TubeCAD graphics screen.
(Much thanks to Rod Malone of TUBE FORMING
& MACHINE for suggesting this enhancement.)
3. Enhancement: New chart style named "CoordDecAltU"
A new chart (and report) style allows TubeCAD to report the XYZ
coordinates and bend radii in both millimeters and inches simultaneously.
This is a sample report: Decimal Coordinates & Radii With Alternate Units Points X Y Z Radius 1 -0.001 ( -0.015) +0.000 ( +0.000) +0.000 ( +0.000) +0.000 ( +0.000) 2 -0.001 ( -0.015) +2.000 ( +50.800) +0.000 ( +0.000) +1.000 ( +25.400) 3 -5.049 ( -128.252) +2.000 ( +50.800) -5.430 ( -137.912) +2.000 ( +50.800) 4 +3.359 ( +85.329) +2.000 ( +50.800) -5.124 ( -130.147) +2.000 ( +50.800) 5 +3.541 ( +89.941) +2.000 ( +50.800) -10.121 ( -257.063) +0.000 ( +0.000)
The style is very wide and is most appropriate for use in the
layout chart. (It is too wide for 80 column printers.) (Much thanks to Rod Malone of TUBE FORMING & MACHINE for suggesting this enhancement.)
4. Other Enhancements and Fixes:
TubeCAD 5.8m (September 15, 1996 revision) Back to the Index
1. Fix - Fitting Data and Sequence Data
The Fitting Data now loads properly from TubeCAD data files to
TubeCAD memory.
The Sequence Data now loads properly from TubeCAD data files to
TubeCAD memory.
(Much thanks to Len Homelvig of Dakota
Tube for bringing this problem to our attention.)
2. Fix - True Bend Menu
The Color options in the true bend menu would not always function
properly due to internal program constraints on memory. Changes
were made that allow more memory during changes in color of the
true bend entities. TubeCAD 5.8n (October 1, 1996 revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement - Blanking of ODmesh entities within TubeCAD
TubeCAD now allows blanking of ODmesh entities so that portions
of the ODmesh can be switched OFF while other portions are left
on. Here's an example:
The commands for blanking are BLANKING ON and BLANKING OFF. These
commands are used in the OD Modification list to control where
they are implemented. See the TubeCAD online help for an in-depth
discussion of ODmesh blanking.
2. Enhancement - Conrac Chart Styles
The TubeCAD Conrac bender charts were enhanced by adding a Conrac2
and Conrac2,E styles to the list of available charts within TubeCAD.
Original Conrac Style: Conrac Bend Angle Stop 360Rot Radius 1 132.00 160.593 171.59 15.000 ( +160 1/2 ) 2 90.00 118.735 304.40 15.000 ( +118 3/4 ) 3 95.00 92.678 89.06 15.000 ( +92 3/4 ) 4 102.28 57.455 89.06 15.000 ( +57 1/2 )
New Conrac2 Style: Conrac Bend Stop 360Rot Angle Radius 1 160.593 0.00 132.00 15.000 ( +160 1/2 ) 2 118.735 171.59 90.00 15.000 ( +118 3/4 ) 3 92.678 304.40 95.00 15.000 ( +92 3/4 ) 4 57.455 89.06 102.28 15.000 ( +57 1/2 )
Note that the order of the columns is different
from the original Conrac chart in TubeCAD. The reordering allows
for a more natural progression in the bending process. (The first
step is to Stop at 160.593, the second step is to Bend to 132,
the third step is to Stop at 118.735, the fourth step is to Rotate
to 171.5930, etc.) TubeCAD 5.8o (January 6, 1997 revision) Back to the Index
1. Enhancement - Intersection Point Labels Can Be Edited
TubeCAD now allows the point labels at the intersections of all
full tube views (primary and auxiliary) to be edited to values
other than integers.
Here's an example of the result on a layout image:
Editing The Labels
The labels are edited in the TubeCAD Editor when entering/editing
XYZ coordinates and bend radii. Column 66 (and to the right)
is reserved for entering the labels. This column was previously
unused in TubeCAD.
TubeCAD Editor
Coordinate, Radii Mode
1---|----10---|----20---|----30---|----40---|----50---|----60---|----70---|----
Point X Y Z Radius Label
1 0 0 -0.5800 ------------- A
2 5.1000 0 -0.5800 1.1200 B
3 5.9872 0 -1.4007 1.1200 C
4 7.0772 1.6400 -1.6007 1.1200 D
5 6.9272 1.8900 -0.0807 ------------- E
1---|----10---|----20---|----30---|----40---|----50---|----60---|----70---|----
Line... 1 Col... 1 InsOFF AttOFF NumON
Press F1 for Help
Chart Styles Affected
Three chart styles are affected by the enhancement: CoordDec,
CoordDecZ, and CoordFrac. Each of these chart styles show
the labels in a column to the right of the integer point number
column like this: Decimal Coordinates & Radii Pnt/Label X Y Z Radius 1 A +0.000 +0.000 -0.580 +0.000 2 B +5.100 +0.000 -0.580 +1.120 3 C +5.987 +0.000 -1.401 +1.120 4 D +7.077 +1.640 -1.601 +1.120 5 E +6.927 +1.890 -0.081 +0.000 (Much thanks to Mark Jackson of Tube
Forming & Machine for suggesting this enhancement.)
2. Enhancement - Specific Scale Plotting From DraftChoice
Plus
DraftChoice Plus is a 2D CAD program that is bundled with each
TubeCAD package. Due to the way DraftChoice Plus was interpreting
the distance data in TubeCAD DXF files, a specific-scale plot
was not possible.
This has been changed so that when using option 6 in the Build
CAD File menu is used to transfer data automatically to DraftChoice
Plus, the data is automatically converted to the proper unit.
A new utility program named DXFUNIT automatically converts all
TubeCAD DXF data to METERS (the internal DraftChoice Plus unit).
Even though the data is sent as METERS, it is displayed in the
proper INCH or MILLIMETER formats from within DraftChoice.
DXFUNIT Conversion Program:
---------------------------------------------------------------
TubeCAD DXF Unit Conversion
For TubeCAD to DraftChoice Plus File Transfer
Revision Date: January 6, 1997
Copyright (C), Advanced Tubular Technologies, 1997
---------------------------------------------------------------
Source DXF File.......... tubecad.dxf
Target DXF File.......... dcpconv.dxf
Multiply distances by.... .0254
Converting............... /
Also, the TubeCAD Interface Menu has been changed to automatically
convert data being transferred to DraftChoice Plus.
Note that for this feature to operate, TubeCAD must be accessed
through the TubeCAD Interface Menu. (Start TubeCAD with the "TC"
command at the DOS prompt.")
3. Enhancement - DXF Centerline Extractor Is Updated To Work With CADKEY 97 DXF Files. (This enhancement was added to TubeCAD 5.8 Release O on May 5, 1997.)
CADKEY 97 DXF files contain new DXF elements that can cause TubeCAD's older DXFCE procedures to end its DXF searches prematurely. DXFCE has been enhanced so that these elements no longer cause a problem during DXF loading. Also, the DXFCE interface has been changed slightly to include a "Version" button in order to confirm that you have the latest DXFCE software installed with TubeCAD. The release date of this latest DXFCE is May 5, 1997.
Compare the older interface with the new:
  Back to the Index 1. Enhancement - BlockUp Label Feature Added TubeCAD can now display BlockUp Labels along the centerline of each of the three primary views. These labels will make this block-up process much quicker by including the data necessary to set the block heights and angles in the layouts.
This is an example of BlockUp labels:
How Blockup Labels Work A TubeCAD layout is a 2D image describing a 3D shape. Many customers use blocks to build a quick 3D gauge on top of a full-scale TubeCAD layout. In order to do that, however, they need to physically measure distances in other views to get distances from the OD to base planes. These labels will make this block-up process much simpler by providing this detailed numeric and visual data automatically. The Block Up Labels show a point location along every straight distance with 2 important values:
2. The DISTANCE from the bottom of the OD to the base plane itself. This means that TubeCAD layout users will be able to quickly locate block heights and angles along every straight of the tube centerline in the 3 primary views. The user will read the height, set the gauge to that height, set the gauge angle (if he is using a plate that can be tilted), and sets the gauge in place. After a sufficient number of gauges are in place, the TubeCAD layout has become a 3D gauge that takes only minutes to set-up. QC can even use these values to verify the tube's shape later in the process. For QC to rebuild a 3D gauge later using these values will be a relatively quick and painless process. (Making multiple layout plots is quick and inexpensive: plot one for manufacturing, and one for QC for inspection and verification.) We've added a new configuration menu to control the labels:
BlockUp Configuration
0. Exit menu
1. Help
2. BlockUp Labels ON/OFF............. ON
3. BlockUp AutoBase ON/OFF........... ON
4. Base Offset View 1................+12.119
5. Base Offset View 2................-4.765
6. Base Offset View 3................-111.603
7. Maximum Line Angle To Datum.......+85.000
8. BlockUp Label Text Size...........+1.600
9. Multiply Extension with OD by.....+1.000
10. Edit BlockUp Centerline Offsets
BLOCKUP BASE OFFSET Each BASE can be offset by adjusting the Base Offset values. Changing the Base offset values will cause the BlockUp distances to change. Offsetting the base in a negative direction will increase the BlockUp distances.
BLOCKUP AUTOBASE ON/OFF
BLOCKUP MAXIMUM LINE ANGLE TO DATUM PLANE
BLOCKUP LABEL EXTENSION LINE
BLOCKUP CENTERLINE OFFSET TubeCAD allows you to program a unique BlockUp Centerline Offset for each straight. The editor is used to change the values like this.
TubeCAD Editor
BlockUp Centerline Offsets
1---|----10---|----20---|----30---|----40---|----50---|----60---|----70-
BU Offset
1 -.5
2 1.5
3 2.75
4 0.0
5 -1.5
BLOCKUP LABEL TEXT SIZEThe BlockUp Label Text Size is controlled separately from the point label size in order to decrease the size of this text so that they fit well around your tube shape in the layout.
(Much thanks to Rod Malone of Tru-Val Tubing, and Ed Kubitsky of SIEBE of Lazerne for suggesting and assisting in this change.)
2. Enhancement - Design Coordinate Feature Added TubeCAD uses centerline coordinates given by your customers to build up layouts. Sometimes it is necessary to rotate the tube views in space so that they are displayed in a better inspection orientation. The main problem with doing this is that TubeCAD generates new XYZ coordinates when the tube is rotated. The tube shape has not changed, but the LAYOUT coordinates have changed. This version overcomes this problem by allowing TubeCAD operators to keep a set of unchanging DESIGN coordinates in memory while freely changing the LAYOUT coordinates if necessary.
SYNCHRONIZATION A new configuration menu was added to control Design Coordinates:
Design Coordinates Configuration
0. Exit menu
1. Help
2. Edit Design Coordinates
3. Copy LAYOUT Coordinates to DESIGN Coordinates
4. Copy DESIGN Coordinates to LAYOUT Coordinates
5. Change Design Coordinate Point Number: 0
6. Synchronization Check.............. ON
7. Length Tolerance..................+0.010
8. Rotation Tolerance................+0.100
9. Bend Angle Tolerance..............+0.100
Synchronization checks are accomplished by comparing the BENDER data of the two sets of coordinates.
7. Length Tolerance..................+0.010
8. Rotation Tolerance................+0.100
9. Bend Angle Tolerance..............+0.100
During the comparison, there will be minor differences between the values of the two sets of calculated bender data. The tolerance values allow TubeCAD to overlook the minor differences and report a successful synchronization check.
ESTABLISHING THE DESIGN COORDINATE DATAIn order to establish the Design Coordinate data, it is important to have TubeCAD copy the original Layout coordinates to the Design coordinates only one time. This will usually occur immediately after the first time setup of a new layout.
SYNCHRONIZATION FLAGS
 TubeCAD displays a "Out Sync" flag in the upper right corner of layout screen if the Design Coordinate Synchronization check finds data that is out of sync. This is an example:
 TubeCAD displays no flag regarding synchronization if the option is switched ON and the two sets of data are synchronized.
SYNCHRONIZATION CHART
Design Coordinate To Layout Coordinate Synchronization DBB Tolerance............. +0.100 Rotation Angle Tolerance.. +0.100 Bend Angle Tolerance...... +0.100 Coordinate Synchronization Warning List No warnings -- Coordinates are in sync
DESIGN COORDINATES CHART
DESIGN DATA Decimal Coordinates & Radii Pnt/Label X Y Z Radius 1 1 +0.000 +0.000 +0.000 +0.000 2 2 +0.000 +0.000 +40.870 +15.000 3 3 -40.938 +7.443 +3.405 +15.000 4 4 -63.879 +6.582 +28.301 +15.000 5 5 -80.970 +43.590 +8.458 +15.000 6 6 -121.505 +20.793 +24.803 +0.000 (Much thanks to Rod Malone of Tru-Val Tubing, and Ed Kubitskey of SIEBE of Luzerne for suggesting and assisting in this change.) TubeCAD 5.8 Q2 (April 3, 1998 revision) Back to the Index 1. Enhancement - BlockUp Label Feature is Now Available in ALL Tube Views (Primary and Auxiliary)
This is an example of BlockUp labels imported into AutoCAD for a single view:
 2. Enhancement - BlockUp Label Feature CALCULATES NOMINAL HEIGHTS For You
Nominal Blockup Distances or Heights
That is because fabricators often use height blocks that are preset to nominal values. This feature allows blockup distances to conform to those preset heights. Using this powerful feature, the user never has to guess where the blockup label is moved to in order to find a specific nominal height. TubeCAD calculates the blockup offset location, then slides the blockup label to the new location automatically. 3. Enhancement - TubeCAD is now NETWORK COMPATIBLE
TubeCAD 5.8 Q3 (November 1998 revision) Back to the Index 1. Enhancement - Network Access Speed Improved
For single-workstation users, TubeCAD revision Q3 is identical to revision Q2. TubeCAD 5.8 Q4 (April 1999 revision) Back to the Index 1. Enhancement - Bundled with IntelliCAD 98
Transfer layouts to IntelliCAD with a single ICAD command. It is no longer to setup TubeCAD for building DXF files. The build and transfer are now completely automatic. 2. Enhancement - New Automatic Transfer to AutoCAD
TubeCAD 5.8 Q5 (May 26, 1999 revision) Back to the Index 1. Enhancement - Color Mapping for IntelliCAD and AutoCAD
The file acdcolor.dat contains 16 numbers that correspond to TubeCAD's 16 possible colors. If the file is not present, then TubeCAD performs no mapping. For example, color 0 (black) would be registered in the DXF file as color 0. In this file, the color numbers appear in TubeCAD's order, so the first number corresponds to TubeCAD's color 0, the second is TubeCAD color 1, through TubeCAD color 15 (which is the sixteenth color). The actual value entered in each row is the color number to use in AutoCAD or IntelliCAD. 2. Change - "Notes" command is no longer available from TubeCAD command line
TubeCAD 5.8 Q5.1 (August 16, 1999 revision) Back to the Index 1. Enhancement - New Windows TubeCAD Loader Skips Old TubeCAD Interface Menu
2. Enhancement - Adjusted ACAD Command
TubeCAD 5.8 Q6 (September 2, 1999 revision) Back to the Index 1. Fix - Blockup Label Position Fixed
2. Fix - TubeCAD File Association
TubeCAD 5.8 Q6.1 (September 3, 1999 revision) Back to the Index 1. Fix - Unbend Lengths and End Offsets
TubeCAD 5.8 Q6.2 (January 5, 2000 revision) Back to the Index 1. Fix - Y2K Bug Fix
TubeCAD 5.8 Q6.3 (March 27, 2000 revision) Back to the Index 1. New HASP 4 hardware key
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Written by Michael Cone
Advanced Tubular Technologies
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